Coin detector



u8 15, 1933e E. A. Bou-:N 1,922,925

COIN DETECTOR Filed Dec. 26, 1929 2 Sheets-,Sheet l Aug. 15, 1933. E, ABQLEN 1,922,925

COIN DETECTOR Filed Dec. 26, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 gj, 73 um!!! PatentedAug. 15, 1933 PATENT OFFIC COIN DETECTOR Emerson A. Bolen,

Morris, Ill.,

assignor to Northwestern Corporation, Morris, Ill., a Corporation ofIllinois Application December 26, 1929 Serial No. 416,700

11 claims. (01.194-102) This invention relates to coin mechanisms forcontrolling the discharge of articles from vending machines and moreparticularly to coin detectors therefor, although certain featuresthereof may be employed with equal advantage for other purposes. v

It'conteinplates more especially the provision of simple and effectivemeans for detecting coins of predetermined dimensions andcharacteristics in the manipulation of vending mechanisms for eifectingthe selective discharge of articles therefrom.

Mechanical vending devices have met with increased popularity as adistributing medium owing to the entailment of little or no labor aswell as the expensive sales assistance which commands a salaryexpenditure inconsistent with the profits derived from the sale of suchmerchandise. In order that vending devices may prove satisfactory andprofitable, it is necessary or at least highly desirable to providemeans for detecting spurious coins and rendering vending machinesinoperative responsive thereto for effecting the discharge of articlestherefrom.

Further, such devices should be rendered inoperative by precluding thereception of coins while entirely deplete of articles, thereby renderingit impossible for an individual to deposit a coin without being therecipient of an article serving as an inducement forl the expenditure.

Additionally, the machines must be so constructed as to detect theinsertion of spurious coins which are responsible for the decidedpecuniary loss in vending through this mechanical medium. Coordinationof these expedients is requisite to the fulfillment of the successfulpurpose for which devices of this character are ernployed, namely, theprovision of a protable commercial vending medium. One object of thepresent invention is to provide a coin detector of novel and simpleconstruction for precluding or rendering effectless the deposition ofspurious coins.

Another object is to simplify the construction and improve the operationof devices of this character.

Stiilanother object is the provision of means for detecting spuriouscoins and rendering devices of this character irresponsive thereto.

A still further object is the provision of simple means for detectingminute variances in coin thicknesses.

Still a further Objectis to provide novel means for positively detectingcoins having an aperture 01 depression therein.

. through. An elongated plate 23-having an out-Y Other objects andadvantages will appear from the following description` of anillustrative embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawings:

- Figure 1 is a front view in elevation of a vend- 60 ing device havingan associated coin detector embodying features of the present invention,parts thereof being broken away to clarify the showing. Y

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially 65 along line 2-2 ofFigure 1.

Figure 3 is a front view of a coin detector embodying features of thepresent invention.

Figure 4 is a rear View of the coin detector disclosed in Figure 3.Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 5 5.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a coin chute disclosed in Figures 4and 5.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a lever em- 75 ployed in connectionwith the detector disclosed in the previous figures. Y

Figure 8 isa perspective view of a plate constituting the guiding meansfor a slide.

The preferred embodiment of the detector is shown in association with avending machine disclosed and particularly described in applicantscopending application, Serially Numbered 355,734 and led April 17, 1929which, briefly described, comprises a casing 10 enveloping a frame 11,which supports the coin mechanism and its associated elements.` The coindetector consists, in this instance, of a face plate 12, which ispreferably though not essentially of rectangular configuration boundedby a peripheral edge 13. The peripheral edge 13 terminates in a bearingsurface defining a flange 14 on the obverse side thereof for projectionbeyond the inclined face plate 12, thereby defining a chambered interior15 which receives the instrumen- 5 talities therein.

The wide edge 16 of the face plate 12 has a semi-elliptical opening 17in communication therewith and the chambered interior 15, therebyenabling a coin chute to register therewith. To this end, asubstantially rectangular plate 18 having upturned edges 19 along thesides thereof is disposed for attachment to the chambered interior 15 inconfronting relation with the coin opening 17v provided therein. InVconsequence thereof, the plate 18Vis provided with laterally extendingflanges l20 along the sides thereof,' these being apertured as at 21 toenable the projection of fasteners such as rivets 22 there- 110 Lil `'ofthe guide slots 29,

wardly directed flange 24 bent or otherwise formed along the top edgethereof, is applied to the surface of the chambered interior 15, itbeing provided with a semi-elliptical opening conforming in contour andsmaller in extent than the opening 17 for disposition in confrontingcommunication therewith. It is to be noted that the plate 23 isapertured as at 26 to correspond with the apertures 2l in the flanges 20of the plate 18 so that the fasteners 22 may be utilized to effect thejoinder therewith to cover the opening 25 therein.

The application and attachment of the plate 18 with the edges 19abutting against the surface of the plate 23 defines a coin chute 27 ofsuch cross-sectional shape and extent to slidably accommodate a cointherein of predetermined shape and dimensions. Inasniuch as the flange24 abuts against the upward edge of the chambered interior 15, anelongated slot 28 is provided therein for communication with the opening25 and in alignment with the coin chute 27 for permitting'fthe entranceof a coin therethrough, the plate 23 being held in position and guidedalong a rectilinear path by means of elongated slots 29 which registerwith studs 30 anchored in the face plate 12 from the chambered interior15 thereof. Obviously, the plate 23 will be movable in a horizontal pathbetween the limits defined by slots 29, there being an upstanding lug 31integrally or otherwise stamped from the shute plate 18 to serve as ananchor for one extremity 32 of a spiral spring 33 having the otherextremity 34 fixed to a pin 35 and mounted proximate to thel edge of thechambered interior 15 to normally urge the slide plate 23 to its extremeinitial position wherein the opening 25 communicates with the opening 17provided in the face plate 12. To this end, the edge 36 of the slideplate 23 is provided with al notch 37 for registry with the pin 35 so asto afford its extreme movement in contact with the edge 38 ofthe thechambered interior 15 which servesas a' stop therefor.

. f To sustain the coin within the chute 27 while the slide plate 23 isin its initial position, a coin rest comprising a lug 39 is positionedimmediately below the opening 17 in vertical alignment with the entrance28 of the coin chute 27 when assuming its initial position so that thecoin will rest thereon, the lug 39being provided with apertures thereinto receive threaded studs 40' therethrough for effecting its attachmentto a ledge 41 integrallyformed proximate to the vlower edge 42 of thechambered interior, it being spaced from the slide plate 23 for asufficient distance to`v permit relative movement therebetween. Theslide plate 23 is displaced along a predetermined rectilinear pathwithin the limits by means of a knob 43 which has a shank 44 extending`through an elongated' slot 45 Vprovided* in the face plate 12, forprojection through an aperture 46 provided in the-slide 23. The knobshank 44 which pro- Ajects .through the aperture 46 in the slide plate23,. is swaged 'or otherwise anchored thereto in` any suitable manner soas to establish a rigid joinder therebetween to afford slidablemovementV .thereof from the exterior of the face plate 12.

In order to effect the passage of the coin from the chute 27 to a coinpassage 47 which is Y branched as at 48 `for communication with a coinmechanism 49 so that theY arrival yof a coin in the path of the pawl 50will permit the vknob 51 to be rotated'in a manner more fully describedin the aforesaid copending application, thereby rotating the articleconfining magazine 52 through the medium of a pinion 53 in mesh with agear 54 constituting a face thereof.

The displacement of the coin within the chute 27 to the passage 47 isnecessarily effected by sliding the plate 23 so that the chute 27thereof will traverse a distance beyond the coin sustaining lug 39,thereby permitting the coin to drop to the passage 47 for furtherguidance to the Acoin mechanism 49. This requirement for a predetermineddisplacement of the slide plate 23 affords a means of rendering suchmovement possible responsive to a predetermined position of a detector.This detector control comprises, in this instance, a lever 55 which hasupstanding confronting tangs 56 stamped from the material of theflever55 along the edges thereof more proximate to one extremity 57 and far'more remote from the extremity 53 thereof for a purpose which willappear more fully hereinafter. The tangs 56 are so spaced as to bereceived between the upstanding lug 31 and a confronting lug 58 formedon the chute plate 18, these being piovidedwith aligned apertures 59 forreceiving a pin 60 therethrough which serves as a fulcrum for the lever55. With this arrangement, the fulcrum of the lever 55 defined by theaperture tangs 56 thereof, defines a short straight arm 61 inconfronting relation with the chute plate 18 .while the longer arm 62thereof is slightly curved to extend a distance three-fold the extent ofthe arm 61.

In consequence thereof, any angular deflection or displacement of theshort arm 61 will cause an opposed displacement of the arm 62 adistance-proportional to their respective arm lengths. In consequencethereof, the arm 61 is provided with a concavity or impression defininga projection 63 which extends in the direction of the chute plate 18provided with a correspondingly shaped aperture 64 therein for enablingits projection within the coinchute 27 to establish contact with a coindisposed therein.

A spring 65 having one extremity thereof anchored to the lug 31, isoperatively connected to a lug 66 integrally or otherwise attached tothe arm 62 to normally urge the lever 55 in a clockwise direction(viewed from Figure 5) to normally dispose projection 64 of the leverarm 61 within the coin chute 27 to partially obstruct the freedeposition ef the coin therein which effects the ccunterclockwisedisplacement of the lever 55 so that the extremity 58 thereof willassume its dotted line position indicated in Figure 5 responsive to thedeposition of a coin of predetermined dimensions andshape therein. Thisbrings the extremity 58 of 'the lever arm 62 within an unobstructed laneof travel indicated by arrows A (Figure 5)'. To this end, an obstructioncomprising a metallic stop 67 is positioned against the edge 6801"' thechambered interior 15, it being secured thereto by means of threadedfasteners 69.;

As shown, the stop 67 is provided with an inclined surface 70 whichdefines the extent of an unobstructed lane of travel for the arm of thelever 55, ythe region extending outwardly therefrom being provided witha fiat surface, in this instance assuming the form ofa slot 7l, whichobstructs the travel of the slide plate 23 owing to contact of the leverarm extremity 58 therewith in an lindicated. manner. In consequencethereof, the disposition of Vthe lever 55 in its normal positionresponsive to the urge of the spring 65, will permit the slide plate 23to be displaced (to the left, viewed from Figure 3, to the right, viewedfrom Figure 5) responsive to the manual manipulation of the knob 43 foronly a partial distance in that the lever extremity 58 engages thesurface 71 of the lug 67, thereby precluding the passage of the coin tothe chute 47 owing to the presence of the lug 39 in the path of the coinslot 27. Now then, the deposition of a coin possessed of a thicknessless than a coin of predetermined or authorized dimension, will displacethe lever extremity 58 a distance insufficient to remove it fromconfronting relation with the obstructing surface 71 of the stop 67,thereby rendering a spurious coin inoperative for effecting the dis-`charge of an article from the magazine 52.

VIt 'is to be noted that a spurious coin having an laperturetherethrough similar to or approximating Chinese coins, will beineffectual in a like manner even though the dimensions thereofconformwith an authorized or recognized coin, since the projection 63 onthe lever arm 61 will extend within. the coin aperture, thereby failingto throw the lever extremity 58 within the lane of unobstructed travel.Owing to the proportional translationofv the respective arms 6l and 62ofthe lever 55, very minute differences in coin thicknesses will respondto detection and preclude displacement of the lever extremity 58 therequired distance to afford contact thereof with the inclined surface 79of the stop 67 which enables the full travel of the slide plate 23 fortransferring the coin from the chute 27 to the passage 48. Testsindicate and establish that coin thicknesses decient of -5/1000 of aninch is capable of detection with a device of the type herein described,while overthicknesses are detected in that the entrance slot 28 isrestricted to conform substantially with the thickness of a recognizedcoin, thereby precluding its deposition Within the slot The face plate12 With the detecting mechanism supported thereon within the chamberedinterior 15 is secured to the casing 10 in its proper position by meansof fasteners such as the threaded studs 73 which project throughapertures 74 provided in the peripheral edge 13 thereof. The coin chute27 is automatically maintained` close'dto preclude the reception ofcoins thereinand render the coin mechanism 49 inoperative while themagazine 52 is deplete of articles, this being accomplished bymaintaining the slide plate 23 in its extreme displacement position. IInconsequence thereof, coins Will be incapable of introduction through theentrance 28 of the slot -27 vresponsive to automatic means provided toaccomplish that function. v

The magazine supporting shaft 76 is, therefore, provided with a discwhich is selectively secured thereto for rotation in-unison therewith bymeans of a Winged nut 77. This enables the disc 75 to be adjustedrelative to an indicator, in this instance a pointer 78, which`terminates in a depressed shank 79 for attachment to theY Wall of theframe ll so that the pointer 78 will be elevated a distance therefromsufficient to permit rotation of the disc 75 therebeneath. The disc 75is preferably though not essentially provided with graduations 80, inthis instance consecutive numbers corresponding with the number ofcompartments 81 provided in the article confining magazine 52. f 1

A slot 82 is provided in the disc 75 for communication with theperiphery thereof so as to register with a lever 83 Which terminates .ina

lateral extension 84 for that purpose. The lever B3 is carried by a pin85 for pivotal movement thereon so that the lateral extension 84 willproiect in the slot 82 when in registry therewith to enable thecounter-clockwise movement (viewed from Figure 1) of the lever 83. Thelever B3 projects upwardly for a distance sufficient to contact with atrip 86 carried in the path thereof by a lever 87 pivoted to the ledge41 about a pin 88 so that the lever extremity 89 will Contact the loweredge 90 of the slide plate 23. To this end, a corner of the slide plate23 is bent upwardly to provide an upstanding lug 91 to cooperate withthe lever extremity 89 when displaced in the path thereof in acounter-clockwise direction (when viewed from VFigure 4) thereby holdingthe slide plate 23 in its extreme position with the lever extremity 58abutting against the stop 67. The lever 87 is urged to this position bythe engagement of the lever 88 with the lever trip 86 responsive to theurge of the spring 92 when the lateral lever extremity 84 is in registrywith the slot 82 in the indicator disc 75 coincident with the depletionof the magazine 52, thereby preventing the actuation of the slide 23under such conditions of magazine depletion.

The displacement of the slide plate 23 to its extreme positionresponsive to the deposition of a coin to remove or effect the dischargeof the last article within the magazine 52, will `enable the extremity89 of the lever 87 to assume a position behind the upstanding lug Y91,thereby precluding the return of the slide plate 23 which will cover theopening 17 in the plate 12 in its extreme displaced position. The lever`87 is moved in counter-clockwise direction (viewed from Figure 4) toassumea position in the path of the lug 91 to preclude the return oftheslide plate 23, responsive to the counter-clockwise movement of thelever 83 (viewed from Figures 1 and 4) thereby causing the extremitythereof.

to engage the trip 86 for displacement in its locking position.

Various changes may be made in the embodiment of the invention hereinspecifically described Without departing from or sacrificing any of theadvantages thereof as defined in the apnended claims.

I claim: l

Vl. In a coin detector, the combination with a coin chute, of a membermovable a predetermined distance to pass a coin through said chute, agraduated stop in the path of said movable member, and means accentuatedin responsiveness to predetermined dimensional thicknesses of a coin insaid chute for cooperation with said graduated stop to control theextent of travel of said movable member for the purpose of passing onlyproper coins, said stop comprising an obstructing surface and aninclined surface extending' therefrom to displace said lever fromobstruction responsive to a predetermined range of coin dimensions.

2. In a coin detector, the combination with a coin chute, of a membermovable a predetermined distance to pass a coin through said chute anirregular stop in the path of said movable member, and pivotal meansaccentuated in responsiveness to the predetermined dimensions of acoin'in said chute for cooperation with said irregular stop to controlthe extent of travel of said movable member, said irregular Stopcomprising a lever obstructing surface and a lever displacing surfacefor the purpose set forth.

-3. In a coin detector, the combination with a coin chute, of a membermovable a predeter-l mined distance to pass a coin through said chute, astop having an irregular surface in the path of said movable member, anelongated lever pivoted intermediate they extremities thereof to saidmovable member, one arm of said lever being in operative communicationwith said chute, and the other arm of said lever extending in or out ofline with said stop with accentuated responsiveness to a dimension of acoin for cooperation with said irregular surface 0n said stop to controlthe extent of travel of said movable member Within predetermined coindimensional limits, said last named lever arm having a tapered thin edgeextremity for engagement With the stop to respond differently to theirregular surfaces thereon. v i

4. In a coin detector, thecombination with a coin chute, of a membermovable a predetermined distance to pass a coin through said chute, astop in the path of said movable member, said stop having an inclinedsurface ineffective to obstruct said movable member an elongated leverpivoted intermediate the extremities thereof to said movable member, onearm of said lever being in Operative communication with said chute, theother arm of said lever extending in or out of line with said'stopresponsive to predetermined dimensional thickness of a coin to controlthe travel of said movable member, said'last named lever arm having atapered thin edge extremity for displacement over the incline surface ofthe stop, spring means for urging said movable member to its initialposition, other spring means for urging said elongated lever in theeffective path of said stop, said lever being translatable in the pathof said inclined stop surface responsive to the insertion of a coin insaid chute of predetermined dimensions.

5. In a coin detector, the combination with a coin chute, of a membermovable a predetermined distance to pass a coin through said chute, astop having an effective and ineffective portion inV the path. of saidmovable member, an elongated lever pivoted intermediate the extremitiesthereof to said movable member, one arm of said lever being incperativecommunication with said chute, the other arm of said leverextending in or out of line with the effective portion of said stopresponsive to a dimension of a coin to control the travel of saidmovable member, said last named arm of said lever having accentuatedtranslation responsive to said shorter arm so that slight coinvariations will selectively displace said longer arm in the path ofeither said effective or ineffective portions of said stop, said shorterlever arm having a raised projection for contacting the surface of acoin to register with depressions therein, spring means for urging saidmovable member to itsr initial position, and spring means for urgingsaid lever so that an arm-thereof extends normally in saidchute.

6. In a coin detector, the combination Witha coin chute, of a membermovable a predetermined distance to pass a coin through said chute, astop having an effectiveV and lineffective portion in the path of saidmovable member, an elongated lever pivoted proximate an extremitythereof to said movable member, the shorterrarm of saidilever being inoperative communication with Said chute, said shorter lever arm having araised projection for contacting the surface of a coin to register withdepressions therein,

and the other armvr of said. lever extending 1n or out of line with theeffective portion of said stop responsive to a dimension of a coinWithin said chute to control the travel of said movable member, saidlast named arm of said lever having accentuated translation responsiveto said shorter arm so that slight coin variations will selectivelydisplace said longer arm in the path of either said effective orineffective portions of said stop.

7. In a coin detector, the combination with a coin chute, of a membermovable a predetermined distance to vpass a coin through said chute, astop having an effective and ineffective portion in the path of saidmovable member, an elongated lever pivoted proximate an extremitythereof to said movable member, the shorter arm of said lever being inoperative communication With said chute, and the other arm of said leverhaving a thin edge extremity extending in o1' out of line with theeffective portion of said stop responsive to the dimensions of a coinWithin said chute to control the travel of said movable member, saidlast named arm of said lever having accentuated translation responsiveto said shorter arm so that slight coin variations will selectivelydisplace said longer arm in the path of either said effective orineffective portions of said stop, and means responsive to apredetermined movement thereof for precluding the return' of saidmovable member to maintain said chute closed.

8. In a coin detector, the combination with a coin chute, of a membermovable a predetermined distance to pass a coin through said chute, astop having an effective and ineffective portion in the path of saidmovable member, an elongated lever pivoted intermediate the extremitiesthereof to said movable member, one arm of said lever being in operativecommunication with said chute, the other arm of said lever having a thinedge extremity extending in or out of line with the effective portion ofsaid stop responsive to a dimensionof a coin to control the travel ofsaid movablemember, spring means for urging said movable member to itsinitial position, and spring means for urging said lever so that thearms thereof normally extend within said chute and in the path of saidstop, said last named arm of said lever having accentuated translationresponsive to said shorter arm so that slight coin variations; willselectively displace said longer arm in the path of either saideffective or ineffective portions of said stop.

9. In a coin detector, the combination with a coin chute, of a membermovable a predetermined distance to pass a coin through said chute, astop having an effective and ineffective portion in the path of saidmovable member, an elongated lever pivoted intermediate the extremitiesthereof to saidinovable member, one arm of said lever being in operativecommunication with said chute, the other arm of said lever having a thinedge extremity extending in or out of line with the effective portion ofsaid stop responsive to the dimensional thickness of a coin to controlthe a coin chute, of a member movable a predetermined distance to pass acoin through said chute, a stop having an effective and ineffectiveportion in the path of said movable member, an elongated lever pvotedintermediate the extremities thereof to said movable member, one arm ofsaid lever being in operative communication with said chute, the otherarm of said lever having a thin edge extremity extending in or out ofline with the effective portion of said stop responsive to a dimensionof a coin to control the travel of said movable member, said last namedarm of said lever having accentuated translation responsive to saidshorter arm so that slight coin variations will selectively displacesaid longer arm in the path of either said effective or ineffectiveportions of said stop, springs means for urging said movable member toits initial position, and a projection on said arm to contact with thelateral face of a coin for registry with an aperture therein.

11. In a device of the character described, the

combination with a magazine for confining vendile articles therein, of acoin mechanism for controlling t-he discharge of the articles from saidmagazine, said coin mechanism comprising a coin chute, a slide forpermitting the passage of the coin through said chute in an extremeposition of movement, a coin detector including a lever having an arm inthe path of said chute, means responsive to said coin detector lever forprecluding the movement of said slide to its extreme position unless acoin of predetermined physical characteristics is deposited in saidchute, and means released responsive to the total discharge of thearticles from said magazine for displacement behind said slide in itsextreme actuated position to preclude the return of said slide from itsextreme position of movement, thereby closing said chute.

EMERSON A. BOLEN.

